Automatic starter for motors.



PATENTED JUNE 26, 1906.

A. w. DARBY. AUTUMATIO STARTER FOR MOTORS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1903.

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Alzomeys PATENTED JUNE 26, 1906. A. W. DARBY.

AUTOMATIC STARTER FOR MOTORS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21. 1903.

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i I ONT \L'] I 5"" F W"- n E W Q l I I 9 5 i (k G M Q a 0 WITNESSES:INVENTOR fifig O PATENTED JUNE 26, 1906.

A. W. DARBY. AUTOMATIC STARTER FOR MOTORS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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A. DARBY. AUTOMATIC STARTER FOR MOTORS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1903- 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4,

KOMAAQNNAN omfib aw v KN M UNITED STATES ATENT oFFIoE.

ARTHUR W. DARBY, ()F HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS,

AUTOMATIC STARTER FOR MOTORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 26, 1906.

Application filed November 21,1903. Serial No. 182,118.

I To all whom it may concern.-

.vice in the use of w Be it known that I, ARTHUR W. DARBY, a CIi'JlZQHOf the United States, anda resident of Holyoke, in the county of Hampdenand State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and usefulAutomatic Starter for Motors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the class of devices for starting and stoppingan electric motor; and the objects of my. invention are to provide adevice of this class especially applicable for controlling the movementsof an alternating-current motor having internal resistance, to provide adevice of this class in which the cuttin in and cutting outof theresistance shal be efiectively controlled, and to provide a simple andeffective device for controlling the flow of electric current in thestarting and sto ping of the motor. A deliich these objects may beattained is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1is a view in front elevation of a portion of a device embodying minvention, with parts out in section and wit the speed mg deviceremoved. Fig.2 is a detail view, on enlarged scale, showing the startingand stopping slide. Fig. 3 is a top view of the same with parts brokenaway to show construction. Fi 4 is a view in vertical crosssection ofthe device shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of oneof the stoppmg-pawls. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of thestarting-pawl. Fig. 7 is a detail erspectlve view of theswitch-controlling ever. Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the looseconnection between the resistance-core and the slide. Fig. 9 is a detailplan view showin the speedmg device and its connection. 1g. 10 is adetail-view in elevation of the speeding device and parts upon which itmechanical motor, and 3 a valve-operating device of the kind frequentlyused in connection with an elevator for controlling the operations of amotor which operates a pump. This valve-operating device is governed andcontrolled in the usual manner by pressure from the compression-tank,the pressure in this tank being reduced during the movement of theelevator and increased by the operation of the pump connected up to thetank. The cylinder 2 may be mounted, as shown, on the casing oroperating device 3. While I have shown herein one form of valveoperatinmechanism, it is obvious that many (liFerent forms may be used toaccomplish this purpose and to cause a reciprocatmg movement of thevalve, and my invention is not limited to any special form ofvalve-operating device.

The valve mechanism is preferably located at one end of the cylinder andincludes an inlet 6 and an outlet 7, each controlled by a valve 8,located in the valve-chamber. This valve is connected with a rodextending to the valve-operating mechanism 3. (See Fig. 12 of thedrawings.) The valve 8 controls the ports 10 and 11, leading to thechamber in the cylinder 2, and by mani ulation of the valve thewater,air, or other uid is conducted to the chamber at either end of thecylinder, creating a pressure therein, While the exhaust from the otherend of the cylinder is duly regulated. The mechanism herein describedmay be of any well-known construction and, came t in combination withparts to be hereina ter described, forms no part of my presentinvention.

As a means for operating the piston in the cylinder 2 I have shownherein a 1pipe 6*, extending from a water-supply tan to the inlet 6; butit will be understood that in most instances in use this inlet 6 will beconnected directly with a system of water-supply under pressure. Anelectric cut-out or switch 12 is located on the su port 1, and thiscut-out may be of an we l-known form and construction, as s own in Fig.12 of the drawings. This cut-out is employed for the pur pose ofcontrolling the flow 0 an electric current to the electric motor.13, andby the term electric motor as used herein I mean to include all partsincluded within the device herein illustrated, including the stator andall other parts.

While my invention maybe applied to mostart the device.

tors of various t pes, it is especially applicable to a motor 0 thealternating type,hav1ng internal resistance, as it is absolutelyessential in such a motor that the flow of electric current foroperating the motor'shall be absolutely controlled, as otherwise damageis sure to result, and while I do not limit my invention to usespecifically with such a motor such has been employed in the drawingsherein for the purpose of properly illustrating the operation of mydevice.

A very important feature of my invention resides in the mechanicalactuator forming a part of the structure as a whole, the term mechanicalas applied to this actuator being used for the purpose of distinguishingit from other devices used for a similar purpose and in whichelectricity is employed in the operation. The construction of thisimroved mechanical actuator is as follows: A bracket 14 is secured to.the support 1, and at the upper end of this bracket is formed inprojections 15 a' slideway for the starting and stopping slide 16. Thisslide is suitably connected at one end with the piston rod 17, by meansof which the slide is reciprocated. A starting-pawl18 is pivoted to theslide 16 and hangs at one side of the slide, as shown in Fig. 1. Aseries of stopping-pawls 19 is also pivoted to the slide, beingpreferably supported on a rod 20, extending between the supports 21. Thestarting-pawl 18 is beveled, as at 22, this beveling being located atthe rear edge of the pawl, and this term rear edge is used with respectto the direction of movement of the pawl in its operation to Each of thepawls 19 is beveled at its front edge, as at 23.

A cut-out or switch-operating lever 24 is pivoted on the bracket 14, andthis lever is provided with a starting-tooth 25 and a stopping-tooth 26,these teeth being arranged so that the starting-tooth 25 will operate inconnection with the starting-pawl 18 to start the motor, and thestopping-tooth 26 will act in connection with the stopping-pawls 19 tostop the motor. It will be noted that these teeth are located nearopposite ends of the hub of the lever. The lever is connected, as bymeans of a rod 27, with a bell-crank lever 28, that operates the switchor cut-out. An arm 29 extends from the bearing 15, and aresis'tancelever 30 is pivoted to this arm. The

lever'is connected by a link 31 with the slide 16, and the lower end ofthe lever is connected to a resistance rod or core 32. This rod or core32 has a loose connection with a guide 33, mounted on a uide-rod 34,supported by the motor. This oose connection is secured by means of ayoke 35, hav ng a cross-piece 36, through which the core nd or anextension' from the end of the core 32 projects. Nuts 37 are located onthe projection from the core 32 and atsome distance apart, these nutsbeing located on opposite sides of the;.-

cross-piece 36, so that the yoke 35 and guide 33 may have a movementindependent of the core, said movement of the guide and core beingcaused by a reciprocating movement of the slide 16. The core 32 bears ashortcircuiting collar 32*, that operates in connection with theconductors 32 on a short-circuiting plate 32*, this constituting aportion of the resistance mechanism.

In. the operation of the device, the parts being in the position shownin Figs. 1 and 12 of the drawings, the starting-lever or other device ofan elevator being operated to cause the elevator to move upward, thethree-way valve shown in Fig. 12 is opened and pressure from thecompression-tank is admitted to the elevator cylinder, causing theplunger to move upward. This operation has caused a reduction ofpressure in the compressiontank, and a like reduction in pressure is.caused underneath the diaphragm in the operating device 3. Thisreduction in pressure under the diaphragm is caused by reason of thecommunication of the chamber under the diaphragm with thecompression-tank through the connecting-pipe shown in Fig. 12. Thisreduction of pressure under the diaphragm causes the lever 14; to fall,and this downward movement of the lever carries with it the rod 9. Thisoperation causes the valve 8 tobe operated to admit fluid to theright-hand end of the cylinder 2, the piston and piston-rod 17 beingmoved outward, and the exhaust from the cylinder is suitably regulatedto permit this movement. This movement of the piston-rod 17 causes acorresponding movementof the slide 16, which carries the working edge ofthe starting-pawl 18 into engagement with the tooth 25 of the lever 24.This swings the lever on its pivot, operating the bell-crank lever 28 bythe connection 27 and the cut-out or switch 12 to admit current to themotor 13. The core 32 being at the outward limit of its play at thistime the full resistance of the motor is exerted. In the initialmovement of the slide the loose connection of the core and lever permitssuch movement without operating the core, thus permitting the closing ofthe switch without movement of the core. The core is now graduallyinserted, and the resistance thus gradually cut out until the fullstrength of the current is in efiective operation. The motor is suitablyconnected to a pump (the connection not being shown herein, but whichmay be a belt or the like common to devices of thisclass)'for supplyingressure to the compression-tank through t e pipe from the pump, as shownin Fig. 12. When the pressure in the tank, and consequently under thediaphragm in the operatin device 3, has reached the required degree, t elever 44 is thereby raised and the valve 8 is operated to admit pressureto the'opposite end of the cylinder 2. This causes the piston to I30travel backward and imparts a reverse movement to the slide 16. Theconnections hereinbefore described serve to operate the cutout or switch12 and throw off the electric current, switch being moved while the core32, to throw in the resistance, is at rest. After the current has beenthrown oif the core begins to operate to throw in the resistance. Themovement of the lever 24 in stopping the motor is caused by theengagement of a pawl 19 with the tooth 26, the latter being engaged bythe pawl, whose working edge is in posi tion to next encounter theteeth. It will be seen that by this construction I have provided meanswhereby the lever 24 is certainly moved to operate the cut-outirrespective of the position of the slide when it shall begin itsmovement to stop the operation of the motor. This is of specialadvantage from the fact that it is essential that the switch shall beoperated to out off the electric current before the core is operated tothrow in the resistance, and in case one of the pawls 19 should fail toengage the tooth 26 on the lever 24 a succeeding pawl is sure to engageit and operate the lever. It will be seen that this same result will beattained should the slide 16 not have moved its full extent to cut outthe resistance before its start in the op posite direction to throw inthe resistance.

In the use of an internal-resistance motor it is absolutely essentialthat the resistance mechanism shall be properly operated and that thesupply of electric fluid to the motor shall be absolutely controlledwith respect to said resistance mechanism. In addition to the advantagesabove described by providing a series of pawls whereby the switch isthrown in a reverse movement of the starting and stopping slide from anypoint which it may have reached and before the o eration of theresistance mechanism, shoul one of the pawls in a movement of the slidefail to operate to throw the switch, there are succeeding pawls whichmay be de ended u on to accomplish this result and t at there ore theproviding of a series of pawls absolutely insures the operation of theswitch to control the flow of electric fluid to the motor before theresistance mechanism shall be put into eration. Insome'adaptations ofthe device w 'le it is desirable to have the movement of the piston in adirection to start the motor comparatively slow, so that the cutting outof the resistance shall not be so ra id as to cause injury to the motor,it may a so be de sirable to have the movement of the piston in thereverse direction comparatively rapid in order to prevent the electriccurrent from arcing across the switch, as well as for other reasons thatmay present themselves.

In order that the device may operate to these ends, I have provided aspeed mechanism more articularly shown in Figs. 9 and of the rawings.This speed device con- 'moves over the. top of the block 43.

sists of a yoke 36", secured to the piston-rod 17 and clamped betweennuts on the rod, as shown in the drawings. This yoke 36 is free to movehorizontally through a guide 37 mounted on the starting device 3. Thearms of this yoke pass on opposite sides of the cylinder 2 and arebrought close together at their outer ends. Between these outer ends alatch 38 is pivotally suspended. This latch has a nose 39, adapted torest on a stop 40, which consists of a stud extending between the outerends of the arms. The ower end of this latch is provided with a cam 41,adapted to engage a cam-lip 42 on a block 43. This block 43 is mountedon the pressurelever 44 of the starting device 3.

In the operation of this device it will be noted that when the pressureunder the diaphragm in the starting device 3 is low and the diaphragm 45is down the valve mechanism is in a position to move the piston to startthe motor. As the piston-rod 17 moves forward it carries the yoke 36 andthe latch 38 rises and The movement of the valve-operating mechanismcaused by reduction of pressure under the diaphragm, and the consequentmovement of the piston to start the motor, is slow as compared with themovement of the'parts in the opposite direction under the action of myimproved device. As the piston moves in a direction to stop the motorthe latch 38, having dropped to its lowermost position, causes its cam41 to engage underneath the cam-lip 42 on the block 43, thus quicklyraising the lever 44, and consequently the valve-rod. This initialmovement of the piston to the extent of raising the valve-rod will occurbefore the cut-out has operated to cut off the electric current. Thevalve mechanism having been thus thrown into full operation to admitfull pressure to the iston the movement of the latter backward for itsentire length will be comparatively quick.

It is obvious that the specific form of construction herein illustratedand described may be departed from to a considerable ex tent and yetcome within the scope of" the invention, and I do not desire to limitmyself to the exact construction herein illustrated and described.

.VVhile the invention has been shown and described herein with referenceto an alternating-current motor of the internal-resistance ty e as adevice in connection with which t e invention has been found to producebeneficial results, it is obvious that such results may follow from theuse of the invention with motors of other types.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In combination with an electric motor for actuating a device tosupply pressure to a tank, resistance for the motor, resistancecontrolling mechanism, a mechanically-operand resistanceoperating *thetan ated valve-operating device, a valve connected therewith, anactuator, a piston connected with the actuator and ope'ratedby fluidadmitted by the valve, means for sup- .controllin mechanism, amechanically-controlled va ve-operating device, a valve con nectedtherewith, an actuator, a piston for operating the actuator, means forsupplying pressure to the piston through said valve, a switch connectedwith the actuator to be operated before movement of theresistance-operating mechanism, and connections between said actuatorand the resistance-operating mechanism. V

3. In combination with an electric motor for actuating a device forsupplying pressure to a tank, resistance for the motor, resistancecontrolling mechanism, the tank, a valve-o crating mechanism connectedwith E, a valve connected with the operating mechanism, an actuator, apiston connected with the actuator and actuated in both directions bythe same source of supply, means for supplying pressure through thevalve to said piston, a switch, and connections between theresistance-operating mechanism and the switch for operating the latterbefore movement of the former.

4. In combination with 'a motor, resistance therefor,resistance-controlling mechanism, a switch for closing the circuit tothe motor, a mechanical actuator, a mechanical motor therefor,connections between said actuator mechanism, and connections between saiactuator and the switch to operate the latter before movement of theresistance-operating mechanism. 7

5. In combinatlon with an electric motor, resistance therefor, a movablemember for controlling the resistance, a slide connected with themovable member, a switch, a lever connected with the switch, pawlslocated on the slide for throwing said lever in either di- -:rection,and means for operating the slide.

6. In combination with an electric motor, resistance therefor, a movablemember for controlling the resistance, a slide connected with saidmovable member, a switch, a lever connected with the switch, a pawl foroperatsaid lever in one direction, a series of operating the lever inthe opposite 7. In combination with an electric motor,

-resistance therefor, a movable member for controlling the resistance, aslide connected 5 with the movable member," a switch, a lever motor anand means for operating the slide.

connected with the switch, and connections between the slide and switchand including a plural number of devices for insuring the throwing ofthe switch in one direction.

8. In combination with an electric motor, resistance therefor, a movablemember to control the resistance, a slide connected with said movablemember, current-controlling means, a lever connected with saidcontrolling means, a pawl borne by the slide to operate vthe lever toadmit current, a series of pawls borne by the slide to operate the leverto cut off the current, and means for operating the slide. g

9. In combination with a mechanical device, an electric motor fordriving the same, resistance for said motor, resistance-controllingmechanism, a switch for closing the circuit to the motor, an actuator tooperate both the switch and resistance-controlling mechanism, andintermittently connected with the former, and means for operating saidactuator to throw off the switch at any point from which the backwardmovement of the actuator shall begin.

10. In combination with an electric motor, resistance therefor,resistancecontrolling mechanism, a switch for closing the circuit to themotor, an actuator, a mechanical motor therefor, means for operating themotor, connections between the actuator and resistancecontrollingmechanism, and means for inter mittently connecting the actuator withand to operate'the switch.

11. In combination with a motor, resistance therefor,resistance-controlling mechanism, means for admitting current to saidmotor, including its resistance, and an actuator loosely connected withthe resistanceco'ntrolling' mechanism and with the currentadmittingmechanism.

'12. In combination with a motor, resistance therefor,resistance-controlling mechanism, means for admitting current to themotor, including its resistance, a slide loosely connected with theresistance controlling mechanism and also with the current-admittinmeans, and means for operating the s 1 e.

13. In combination with an electric motor, resistance therefor,resistance-controlling mechanism, a mechanical motor for impart ingmotion to the resistance controlling mechanism, means for controllingthe movement of the mechanical motor and includin a pressure-chamberhaving a diaphragm and connected lever, means for actuating thediaphragm and connected lever, and means for moving said lever by forceother than that exerted by the movement of the diaphragm.

14. In combination with an electric motor,

resistance I therefor, resistance-controlling mechanism, a mechanlcalmotor, means for controlhng he movements of the mechanical including apressure chamber having a diaphragm and connected lever, and additionalmeans'for actuating said lever to control the movements of the me-'chanical motor.

15. In combination with an electric motor, resistance therefor,resistance-controlling mechanism, means for admitting current to saidmotor and its resistance, a mechanical motor for operating saidadmission means and including a piston, means for controlling themovements of the piston, and including a pressu're-chamber, a diaphragmlocated therein, a lever connected with the diaphragm for operating thepiston-controlling means, a yoke secured to the pistonrod, and meansborne by the yoke for operating said lever independently of the forceexerted by the movement of the diaphragm.

16. In combination with an electric motor, resistance therefor,resistance-controlling mechanism, a mechanical motor for operating theresistance including a piston and a piston-rod, means for controllingthe movement of the piston, and including a pressurechamber, a diaphragmlocated in said cham-' ber, and having a connected lever for operatingthe piston-controlling means, a yoke, and connections between the yokeand lever for raising the latter in the movement of the yoke in onedirection.

17. A motor, resistance therefor, resistance-controlling mechanism, amotor-actuator, including a slide, means for operating the actuator,connections between said slide and the resistance-controlling mechanism,a switch for admitting current to the motor, a lever connected with theswitch and provided with teeth, a series of pawls borne by the slide toengage one of the teeth on the lever, and a single pawl borne by theslide to engage another tooth on the lever.

18. A motor, resistance therefor, resistance-controlling mechanism,a'motor-actu- 'ator including a slide, means for operating the actuator,a loose connection between the resistance-controlling mechanism and saidslide, a switch for admitting current to the motor, a lever connectedwith the switch and having oppositely-disposed teeth, a series of pawlsborne by the slide to engage one of the teeth borne on the lever, and asingle pawl to engage another tooth on the lever.

19. A motor, resistance therefor, resistance-controlling mechanism, amotor-actuator including a slide, means for operating said actuator, aswitch, a lever connected with the switch, and a series of pawls borneby the slide freely movable over said lever in one direction, one ofwhich engages therewith in the movement of the slide in the oppositedirection;

20. In combination with an electric motor, resistance therefor,resistance-controlling mechanism, means for admitting current to themotor, an actuator, means for operating the actuator and including apiston, means for controlling the movements of the piston,

and including a pressure-chamber, a diaphragm located therein, aleverconnected thereto for operating the piston-controlling means, ayoke secured to the piston-rod, and a latch borne by the yoke to engagetherlever and lift it independent of the force exerted by pressure onthe dia hragm.

AltTHUR W. DARBY. Witnesses:

W. W. RAYNOLDS, ETTA M. ORRELL.

